Oyo Police Launch Joint Security Operation to Rescue Abducted Farmer

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a joint security operation involving multiple agencies to rescue a farmer abducted by terrorists in Igbojaye community, Oyo State.

The command said the operation followed the disappearance of Mr Mathew Owoade, who was reported missing after failing to return from his farm along the Igbojaye–Budo Aare Farm Road on Saturday.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the victim left for his farm at about 4 p.m. but did not return home, prompting his family to organise a search. The search party later recovered his Bajaj motorcycle at the farm in the early hours of Sunday.

Ayanlade said the victim's family was later contacted through his mobile phone by the abductors, who confirmed that he had been kidnapped, leading to a formal report to the police.

The police dismissed reports claiming the abduction occurred within the premises of a school, clarifying that the incident took place on the victim's farm. The command urged the public to disregard misleading reports and rely on verified information from official sources.

Following the report, Commissioner of Police Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga ordered the immediate deployment of a joint rescue team comprising police operatives, personnel of the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters. The operation has also been reinforced with the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other tactical units conducting intensive searches of the surrounding forests.

The commissioner assured residents that security agencies were working together to secure the farmer's safe release and apprehend those responsible. He also called on members of the public to remain calm and provide credible information that could assist the ongoing rescue operation.